ping him at Jerusalem, 1 Kings, 12:28. So Micha, no doubt, intended no more, but to worship the God of Israel in his image, as the symbol of his presence, Judg. 17. And those that went a whoreing after Gideon's Ephod, directed their worship through that to God himself. Judg. 8:27. And so those that worshipped the brazen serpent intended their worship to that, but in a secondary manner, as to an holy relic, which God formerly made use of, for the healing of the people. 2 Kings, 18: 4. Yet all these are condemned for idolaters, and the Church of Rome hath not any one thing more to say for herself in her worshipping of images, than these had to say for themselves.

1 Cor. 107. "Neither be ye idolaters." Chap. 6:9, 10. "Idolaters-shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Rev. 21: 8. "Idolaters-shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brim. stone, which is the second death."

CHAPTER XXXI.

OF FASTS.

That upon certain days ordained and appointed by the Pope, one ought to abstain from certain meats. Bellarm. de bonis operibus, 1. 2. c. 14, 15, &c.

In the Holy Bible it is written, Col. 2: 16. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of any holiday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days." Why doth the Church of Rome then judge us for that, because we do not observe their religious distinction of meats?

of

men,

In the same chapter, verses 20, 21, 22, 23. "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances? Touch not, taste not, handle not, which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines which things have indeed a show of wisdom, in will-worship and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh." Note, that the Apostle prevents the objection of those that say that this distinction of meats is established to a good intention, and to master the flesh. These are the reasons of the Church of Rome, which therefore enjoins the observation thereof, as a necessary religious practice.

Matt. 15:11. "Not that which goeth into the

mouth, defileth a man."
a day forbidden by the
is not all the water in
clean. He must go to confession and penance, be-
fore he can have absolution.

But he that eateth flesh on
Pope, is so defiled that it
Rome that can wash him

Acts, 10:15. "What God had cleansed, that call not thou common." But it is plain, that the Church of Rome esteems some meats polluted and unclean, seeing she exerciseth them, and chases from them the evil spirits. See concerning this the the Roman Ritual.

Romans, 14: 17. "For the kindom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." But now-a-days the distinction of meats is one great part of the service of God. Though you should have the zeal and piety of the Apostles, and the sanctity of the Blessed Virgin, yet if you do not fast the Roman mode, you are not good Christians.

1 Cor. 8:8. "But meat commendeth us not to God; for neither if we eat, are we the better; neither if we eat not, are we the worse." Think of this, O ye superstitious souls, who think by your fasts to merit before God, and to make satisfaction for your sins.

Chap. 10: 25, 26. "Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for consciencesake. For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." To eat a bit of flesh in Lent is a very

punishable crime, where the Pope hath an absolute reign; but to gorge one's-self with fish or sweetmeats is a meritorious fast.

Verse 27. "If any one of them that believe not, bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go, whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience-sake." There is no reason, then, why they of the Church of Rome should scruple to eat indifferently of whatsoever is set before them, without making any question for conscience-sake.

1 Tim. 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy ; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving, of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." Certainly those that abide in the communion of the Church of Rome will be without excuse, when God shall judge the world. For there is none so wretchedly blind, that doth not perceive that the Church of Rome commands to abstain from meats, which God hath created for the use of man. But this is the doctrine which the Apostle calls a doctrine of devils.

Verses 7, 8. "Exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but god. liness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Note, that all the devotion of the Church of Rome consists in bodily exercises, fasting, wearing of sackcloth, going in pilgrimages, &c. But they would do better to exercise themselves in the fear of God, and keeping his commandments.

Tit. 1:15. "Unto the pure, all things are pure; but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving, is nothing pure." Our adversaries then by this, frame a process against themselves, and do clearly give us the cause.

CHAPTER XXXII.

OF VOWS, OF MARRIAGE, AND OF FORNICATION.

That one may make Vows to the Saints. Bellarm. de Cultu Sanctor. lib. 3. cap. 9.

In the Holy Bible it is written, Matt. 4:10. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." But a vow is a part of divine service; and is always taken in Scripture for a promise made to God. Bellarmin, contradicting